Nature Education for Sustainability Webinar

Sophie Stenson

1 year ago

The IUCN NCUK Education and Communication Working Group ran a webinar this week focussed on Nature Education for Sustainability!

We were so pleased to host our two expert speakers, Erin Threlfall and Mary Colwell to talk to us about their work and inspire some great discussions around this topic. Please enjoy the recording and find all the mentioned links in the caption below!

Nature education and nature connection are part of, and promoted through, the formal, non-formal, and informal education systems. Education is recognised as an important driving force for achieving conservation and sustainability. Education harnesses the opportunities for learning offered by nature, and inspires and helps re-establish deep connections between humans and nature. Curricula should integrate nature education that connects climate change, biodiversity and protected areas in a living systems holistic approach.

Useful Links shared during the webinar:

The Department for Education (DfE) have set up a biodiversity/nature programme for all schools being led by the Natural History Museum and a number of partners. We are doing this here in the UK. Dfe startegy : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy
Many organisations have matched the UK (England curriculum) to the SDGs, environment and sustainability see – World’s Largest Lesson (https://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/) and NAEE (https://naee.org.uk/) etc.
Nature Park concept here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQiznzU-ots
Also SEEd has a Young Change Makers programme that runs in the UK which works on these pillars. SEEd Young Change Makers: https://se-ed.co.uk/what-we-do/young-changemakers/
Inquiry methods are embedded in the Harmony Schools Project from 3 -11 yrs of age. The Harmony Project: https://www.theharmonyproject.org.uk/accreditation-curriculum
Our Shared World has been discussing SDG 4.7 and the purpose of Education: https://oursharedworld.net/
See this link for what is happening on Nature Parks in Scotland: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/young-people-learning-outdoors-and-developing-skills/nature-discovery-map-scotland
Wildcraft: https://wildcrafty.co.uk
Climate Action North: https://www.climateactionnortheast.org.uk